was possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

"was possibly" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting something might have been true or have happened in the past. For example: "The stranger we passed by on the street was possibly the thief we had heard about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The sight was possibly Phoenician".

The New Yorker

It was possibly a great song.

The New Yorker

This was possibly a futile hope.

The New Yorker

Chelsea's fate was possibly preordained.

The New York Times

But Godot was possibly a greater influence.

The Guardian

There was, possibly, some good news here.

The Guardian - Opinion

That was possibly even clearer than James's.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The fear is possibly exaggerated.

The New Yorker

Help is possibly days away.

The New York Times

They are possibly carcinogenic.

The Washington Post

The answer is "possibly".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was possibly" to indicate a degree of uncertainty about a past event or state. It is suitable when you want to suggest a possibility without making a definitive claim.

Common error

Avoid overusing "was possibly" in formal writing where a more assertive tone is expected. Instead, consider using phrases like "it is likely that" or "it is probable that" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was possibly" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing uncertainty or possibility regarding a past state or event. It softens a statement, suggesting that something may have been the case without asserting it definitively. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was possibly" serves as an adverbial modifier that indicates uncertainty or possibility concerning a past event or state. It's grammatically correct and frequently used, as confirmed by Ludwig, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in formal writing where a more definitive tone is preferable. Related phrases include "might have been" and "could have been". The choice between "was possibly" and alternatives like "was probably" depends on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have been

Expresses a possibility, similar to "was possibly", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on uncertainty.

could have been

Suggests a potential past occurrence or state, akin to "was possibly", but implies a slightly higher degree of likelihood.

may have been

Indicates a possibility in the past, closely resembling "was possibly" in meaning and usage.

perhaps was

Inverts the word order while maintaining the same meaning, offering a slight variation in phrasing.

conceivably was

Emphasizes the possibility or likelihood, similar to "was possibly" but with a slightly more formal tone.

feasibly was

Highlights the feasibility of something having been the case, similar to "was possibly" but emphasizing practicality.

potentially was

Suggests a potential or possibility, comparable to "was possibly" but focusing on potential outcomes.

imaginably was

Indicates something that can be imagined or conceived, similar to "was possibly" but focusing on the realm of imagination.

it is possible that it was

Expands the phrase to a full clause, providing a more explicit statement of possibility.

it's conceivable that it was

Uses a more elaborate structure to express possibility, with a slight shift in formality.

FAQs

How can I use "was possibly" in a sentence?

Use "was possibly" to express uncertainty about a past event or situation. For example, "The delay "was possibly" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "was possibly"?

Alternatives include "might have been", "could have been", or "may have been", depending on the context and the degree of uncertainty you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "was possibly" in formal writing?

Yes, "was possibly" is grammatically correct, but consider using stronger alternatives like "it is likely that" or "it is probable that" in formal contexts to convey more certainty.

What's the difference between "was possibly" and "was probably"?

"Was possibly" indicates a lower degree of certainty than "was probably". The latter suggests a higher likelihood based on available evidence.